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Indigestion

What is indigestion?

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a pain or burning feeling in your upper belly or abdomen. It is common in adults. Indigestion is not the same as heartburn. It is not related to stomach acid. Heartburn is when stomach acid goes out of your stomach and back into your food pipe (esophagus). You can have symptoms of both indigestion and heartburn at the same time.

What causes indigestion?

Indigestion can be caused by health problems, lifestyle issues, or medicines.

The symptoms of indigestion may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider to be sure.

How is indigestion diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will look at your past health and give you a physical exam.

To make sure other health problems aren’t causing indigestion, you may have tests including:

Blood tests.

Stool or breath tests. These are done to check for a stomach bacteria (H. pylori)

X-rays of your stomach and small intestine.

Upper endoscopy. This test uses a long, thin, flexible tube called an endoscope. It has a light and small camera on the end. The tube is put into your mouth, down your food pipe (esophagus), and into your stomach. It checks for any problems in the esophagus or stomach.

Ultrasound of your gallbladder.

Stomach emptying scan.

How is indigestion treated?

You should not have foods or medicines that cause indigestion. It is also helpful to avoid stressful situations.

Your symptoms may feel better if you:

Quit smoking

Take medicines that weaken or neutralize stomach acid (antacids)

Your healthcare provider may suggest you take medicines that:

Help your stomach move food more quickly into your small intestine

Decrease the amount of acid in your stomach

Kill bacteria (antibiotics) if tests show you have the H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) bacteria in your stomach

Help calm the gut's nervous system

What can I do to prevent indigestion?

There are many things you can do to try to prevent indigestion.

Making changes in your diet and eating habits can help. These include:

Eating several small, low-fat meals each day instead of 3 large meals

Eating slowly and giving yourself enough time for meals

Limiting spicy, fatty, greasy, or high-fiber foods

Chewing your food well

Limiting or not having any coffee, soda, or alcohol

Avoid medicines that hurt your stomach. These include aspirin and over-the-counter pain and fever medicines (NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). If you do take them, do so after you eat.

Other lifestyle changes that may keep indigestion from happening include:

Quitting smoking

Getting enough rest

Finding ways to lower your emotional and physical stress, such as meditation or yoga

Exercising before a meal or waiting at least 1 hour after eating

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Indigestion can be a sign of a serious health problem. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have indigestion and any of these symptoms:

Frequent vomiting

Blood in vomit

Weight loss or not feeling hungry

Bloody, black, or tarry stools (could mean you have blood in your stool)

Sudden sharp pain in your belly or abdomen

Trouble breathing

Sweating

Pain that spreads to your jaw, neck, or arm

Difficult, painful swallowing

Yellow coloring of your eyes or skin (jaundice)

Also call your healthcare provider if you have indigestion that lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Key points

It is a painful or burning feeling in your upper belly or abdomen.

It is not the same thing as heartburn.

It may be caused by health problems such as ulcers.

It may also be caused by lifestyle and eating habits.

You should not have foods or medicines that cause indigestion. It is also helpful to avoid stressful situations.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.